Roller shade mechanism



May 12, J. w F I ROLLER SHADE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 7, 1935 WWW I MJQN NWPatented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES ROLLER SHADE MECHANISM Joseph W.Fay, Villa Park, Ill., assignor of onehalf to Ersyl F. Ohambless,Chicago, Ill.

Application January 7, 1935, Serial No. 619

Claims.

This invention relates to shade rollers such as are provided with coiledsprings which are wound or tensioned as the shade is pulled out to covera window or the like and which act to roll the shade upon the rollerwhen the looking or stop means is released.

Shade rollers provided with spindles having flattened ends which slipinto the usual slot in the usual bracket and are held against rotationtherein have been provided before.

The looking or stop means heretofore provided have usually consisted ofpawls pivoted to a member which rotates with the shade roller andarranged to enter notches in a member held against rotation by thespindle. These looking or stop means have been provided merely to holdthe shade in the position into which it is pulled out and againstrolling up under the action of the spring. They have been released bydrawing the shade down sufiiciently to disengage the pawls, whereuponthe spring imparts suflicient speed to the roller to hold the pawlsreleased and to turn the roller to wrap the shade thereon.

Consequently these locking or stop devices have been ineffective abovethe speed at which the pawls are released. As a result, if the operatorwinds the shade up too fast or lets go of the shade, it will wind itselfaround the roller rapidly, with possible destruction to the shade andannoyance to the operator.

The present invention may be characterized as an improvement upon theinvention illustrated and described in the copending application ofErsyl F. Chambless, filed July 25, 1934, Serial No. 736,819, and itsobject is to provide improved means for preventing too rapid rolling ofthe shade up on its roller.

Another object is to provide simple and inexpensive means of this sortwhich will permit placing the flattened spindle of the shade in itsbracket with either of its opposite edges directed upwardly, i. e., thedevice is operative in either of the two positions of this spindle inits bracket.

Another object is to provide means of this sort which is readilycombinable with the usual locking or stop means for holding the shade inits different unrolled positions.

Further objects and the features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale andpartially in elevaindicated at l 0.

tion, through one end of a shade roller em- I vbodying the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the shade roller shown in Figure 1 takenon the line 2--2 of Fi u e 1; 5.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the ballmember for locking the roller against too rapid upward movement of 10the shade in released position;

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 4 showing the ball member forlocking the roller against too rapid upward movement of the shade inlocking position; and

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Figure 1 with the rolleromitted.

Referring to the drawing, the shade roller is Usually it is formed ofwood as shown, but it may be made of any suitable or preferred materialsuch as wrapping paper or cardboard tubing, or of metal or the like.

The shade H, which may be of any suitable shade material, is wrappedupon the roller H) at l2. The inner end of the wrapped portion issecured to the roller Ill, and the opposite end of the shade is usuallyreenforced by a wood strip l3 and provided with a pull cord 14 by meansof which the shade is rolled up on the roller or pulled out to cover thewindow.

The roller In is provided with an internal bore l5 for the reception ofthe usual wood stick 16 around which is coiled a helical spring IT. Thespindle I8 has a flattened inner end of reduced width which fits in aflat-sided slot l9 opening 3 from the adjacent end of the stick IS. Theengagement of the fiat-sided reduced end of the spindle l8 in the slotI9 is relatively tight and joins the stick l6 and spindle 18 againstrelative rotation. The spring I! is secured at one end to the roller illin any suitable or preferred manner. The other end of the spring H has adiametrically turned portion which is inserted through an opening 20extending diametrically through the inner end of the spindle 18 tosecure this end of the spring to the spindle. The inner reduced end ofthe spindle is of substantially square section, and a pin 2| may beprovided to hold the parts together.

The spindle I8 has a flattened outer end of increased width at 22 toslip into the usual slot in the usual bracket and held against rotationtherein. As the free end of the shade I l is drawn downwardly, theroller l0 rotates about the spindle l8 and winds or tensions the spring11, and

when the free end of the shade is released the spring I! tends to turnthe roller ID in the opposite direction to roll the shade up on theroller, as well understood in the art.

A thin metal cup-shaped shell 24 is provided at one end with a wall 25having a central opening 26 through which the spindle l8 passes freely.

This shell is disposed with its annular wall coaxial with the roller l6and with the end wall 25 abutting the outer end of the roller. Tongues2'! struck out from the end wall 25 are driven into the end of theroller It] or engaged in notches therein rigidly to secure the shell 24to the roller l0 for rotation therewith. A hub 28, securely joined tothe inner side of the end wall 25 or formed integral therewith, has aninternal diameter slightly larger than the opening 26 which may receivethe adjacent slotted end of the stick l6. This hub 28 may fit into theinternal bore I5 of the roller I0 and may have tongues 29 turned outinto engagement with the roller 16, or into longitudinal slots openingfrom the end of the bore of the roller, further to secure the shell 2|to the roller ID for rotation therewith.

Outwardly of its reduced inner end the spindle l8 has a slightly widenedfiat-sided portion 30 which fits in a corresponding rectangular opening3| at the axis of a metal collar 32 and secures this collar 32 againstrotation on the spindle IS. The collar 32 has an integral rim 33directed toward and which may bear at its outer end against the innersurface of the end wall 25 of the shell 24, which shell, so long as theshade is not rolled up too rapidly, is adapted to turn freely withrespect to the collar 32. Opening radially through the rim 33 andaligned vertically in operative position of the device are a pair'ofdiametrically opposite slots 36, and the inner periphery of the rim 33has notches or scarfs 31, one extending from each of the slots 36 in thedirection in which the shell 24 turns with respect to the collar 32 inrolling the shade I I to raised position. The vertically aligned slots36 open from the end of the rim 33 and each, with its notch or scarf 31,enables placing the spindle I8 in its bracket with either of theopposite edges of its flat-sided outer end 22 directed upwardly, i. e.,enables operation of the device in either of the two positions of thespindle l8 in its bracket.

Riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner surface of the endwall 25 of the shell 24, as, for example, by forming the same integraltherewith, is an arcuate cam member 46 which travels about the innerperiphery of the rim 33 upon rotation of the roller In with respect tothe spindle l8. The leading end of this cam 40, as the shell 24 turnswhen the shade is being rolled up, has an inclined cam surface 4|.Disposed freely within the rim 33 and confined between the collar 32 andthe end wall 25 of the shell 24 is a locking ball member 44 which, withthe shade positioned in its brackets, drops into the lower slot 36 whichconstitutes a pocket therefor. The other slot 36 constitutes a pocketfor the ball member 44 when the shade is disposed with the spindle l8 inreversed position in its bracket. The annular wall of the shell 24 holdsthe ball member 44 against dropping out of the pocket 36 and, at thesame time, is provided with an inwardly raised hump 42'which, as theroller [0 rotates in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Figures 3and 4, will strike the ball member 44. If the shade II is not beingrolled up too fast, this engagement of the hump or boss 42 with the ballmember 44 will not be sufficient to propel the ball member 44 up out ofits pocket 36 and into the adjacent notch or scarf 3?, and the cam 40will rotate past the ball member 44 clear of the same to allow continuedupward rolling of the shade,

If, however, the operator rolls the shade up too fast or lets go of thefree end of the shade, the increased speed of rotation of the roller IIIwill cause the hump or boss 42 to strike the bottom of the ball member44 with sufficient force to propel the ball member 44 upwardly intoengagement with the cam surface 4! of the cam 46. The cam surface 4!,due to its inclination, reflects the ball member obliquely into theadjacent notch 37. Thereupon the inclined cam surface 4| at the leadingend of the cam 40 forces the ball circumferentially against the shoulder96 in the rim 33 and wedges tightly against the ball member to lock theroller l0 against further rotation in the direction of the arrows inFigures 3 and 4 until the shade l I is pulled down slightly to permitthe ball member to drop into the pocket 36. The shade may then be raisedin the usual manner so long as it is not rolled up at sufficient speedagain to bring the ball member 44 into action. If the speed of upwardmovement of the shade is again too great, as, for example, if the freeend of the shade is released or the shade rolled up too quickly, theball member 44 will again be propelled out of its pocket 36 into theadjacent notch 31 and engaged by the inclined cam surface 4| to lock theshade against too rapid upward movement.

The speed of rotation of the roller III, at which the ball member 44 isbrought into action to stop upward movement of the shade, may be variedreadily by varying the height or inward radial extension of the hump orboss 42. For example, by extending the hump 42 radially inwardlyslightly more, the speed at which the ball member 44 is brought intolocking action is reduced, and by extending the hump 42 radiallyinwardly slightly less than that shown, the speed at which the ballmember is brought into locking action may be increased. When the ballmember 44 is positioned in the notch 36 it is disposed radiallyoutwardly of the inner periphery of the rim 33 so that the cam willcompletely clear the same.

Outwardly of the collar 32, the continuation 48 of the widened andflat-sided portion 30 fits in a rectangular opening 49 at the axis of ametal bushing 50 and secures this bushing 50 against rotation on thespindle H3. The bushing 50 has an annular inwardly stepped portion whichfits into a circular opening 5| at the axis of a metal disc 52, andsupports the disc 52 for rotation upon the bushing. Pivoted atdiametrically opposite positions to the outer side of the disc 52 at 53are a pair of locking pawls or dogs 54. These pawls or dogs 54 haveprojections 55 arranged to drop into diametrically opposite notches 56in the bushing 56 for locking the shade in different positions as itsdownward, or upward movement is stopped or reduced in speed sufiicientlyto per mit one of the projections 55 to drop by gravity into the uppernotch 56, as well understood in the art. The diametrically oppositenotch 56 re ceives the projections 55 in the same manner when thespindle i8 is reversed in its bracket.

The projections 55 and/or notches 56 are formed to permit at all timesfree rotation of the 64 in Figure 1.

disc 52 in the direction in which the shade is drawn downwardly and tolock the shade against upward movement under the action of the spring I!except at speeds sufficient centrifugally to hold the pawls 54 out oflocking engagement. The inner ends of the pivots 53 may extend throughthe disc 52 and into endwise abutting engagement with the outer side ofthe collar 32, as shown.

The outer periphery of the disc 52 has an integral annular flange or rim58 which telescopes relatively tightly into the outer end of the shell24. The disc 52 is connected for rotation with the roller II] bypunching the outer end of the shell 24 inwardly into a notch in the rim58 as shown at 59, or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Thedisc with its pawls 54 is held in place in the shell 24 by the annularflange 60 at the outer end of an outer thin metal shell 62 which fitstelescopically over the shell 24 and over the outer end of the rollerI0. This outer shell .62'is rigidly secured to the roller ID as bycrimping the inner end of its annular wall into engagement with theouter periphery of the roller [0 a'sshown at The shell 24 may beprovided internally with humps 65 punched inwardly at circumferentiallyspaced locations to limit the inward movement of the disc 52 into theshell 24 in positioning the same therein.

The device is extremely simple in construction and, though positive andreliable, is composed of but few parts, and hence is inexpensive tomanufacture and mount in a shade roller.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

1. In combination, a spindle having an end engageable in a bracket andheld against rotation thereby, a shade roller rotatable with respect tosaid spindle and having a shade windable thereon, means preventing toorapid rolling of said shade on said roller, said means comprising alocking member, said roller having a pocket for said locking member, cammeans, and protruding means rotatable with the roller and adapted forstriking said locking member with sufficient force when said shade isrolled up too rapidly to propel said locking member out of said pocketfor wedging engagement with said cam means whereby to lock said rolleragainst continued rotation at too rapid speed in the direction in whichsaid shade is rolled up on said roller.

2. In combination, a spindle with a flattened end having two positionsof engagement in a bracket and held against rotation thereby, a shaderoller rotatable with respect to said spindle and having a shadewindable thereon, means preventing too rapid rolling of said shade onsaid roller, said means comprising a locking member, said roller havinga pair of pockets for said locking member, one disposed generally alongthe bottom of the roller in each of the different positions of saidspindle in its bracket, cam means, and protruding means rotatable withthe roller and adapted for striking said locking member with sufiicientforce when said shade is rolled up too rapidly to propel said lockingmember out of the lowermost pocket for wedging engagement with said cammeans whereby to lock said roller against continued rotation at toorapid speed in the direction in which said shade is rolled up on saidroller.

3. In combination, a spindle, a collar held against rotation on saidspindle, a rim on said collar, said rim having a pair of generallydiametrically opposite pockets therein, a shade roller rotatable withrespect to said spindle and having a shade windable thereon, said rimhaving notches in the inner periphery thereof, one extending from eachof said pockets in the direction of rotation of said roller in rollingthe shade up on the ro1ler.-

4. In combination, a spindle, a collar held against rotation on saidspindle, a rim on said collar, said rim having a pair of generallydiametrically oposite pockets therein, a shade roller rotatablewithrespect to said spindle and having a shade windable thereon, saidrim having notches in the inner periphery thereof, one extending fromeach of said pockets in the direction of rotation of said roller inrolling the shade up on the roller, a, cam rotatable with the roller.and a locking ball member engageable in one of said pockets andadapted'to be propelled out of said pocket and into the adjacent notchwhen said shade is rolled up too rapidly.

5. In combination, a spindle, a collar held against rotation on saidspindle, a rim on said collar, said rim having a pair of generallydiametrically opposite pockets therein, a shade roller rotatable withrespect to said spindle and having a shade windable thereon, said rimhaving notches in the inner periphery thereof, one extending from eachof said pockets in the direction of rotation of said roller in rollingthe shade up on the roller, a locking ball member adapted to drop bygravity into the lowermost pocket, a boss rotatable with the roller andadapted for striking said looking ball member with sufficient force whensaid shade is rolled up too rapidly to propel the ball member out ofsaid pocket and into the adjacent notch, and a cam having a cam surfacefor wedging engagement with the ball member when said member is in saidnotch, whereby to lock the roller against continued rotation at toorapid speed in the direction in which said shade is rolled up on saidroller.

6. In combination, a spindle having an end engageable in a bracket andheld against rotation thereby, a shade roller rotatable with respect tosaid spindle and having a shade windable thereon, a collar fixed to saidspindle, said collar having a pocket therein, a shell rotatable with theroller, a ball member disposed in said pocket at permissible speeds ofsaid roller, protruding means for propelling said ball member out ofsaid pocket when the speed of the roller is too great, and a camrotatable with said shell and cooperable with said ball member wherebyto lock said roller against rotation at too rapid speed in the directionin which said shade is rolled up on said roller.

'7. In combination, a spindle having an end engageable in a bracket andheld against rotation thereby, a shade roller rotatable with respect tosaid spindle and having a shade windable thereon, a collar fixed to saidspindle, said collar having a pocket therein, a shell rotatable with theroller, a ball member adapted for disposition in the pocket in saidcollar, a cam rotatable with said shell and cooperable with said ballmember whereby to lock said roller against rotation at too rapid speedin the direction in which said shade is rolled up on said roller, saidcam being rotatable past said ball member in the direction in which saidshade is rolled up on said roller so long as the speed is not too great,and means operated by stopping and reducing the speed of the downwardand upward movements of the shade to lock the same in differentpositions.

8. In combination, a spindle having a flattened end for two positions ofengagement with a bracket and held against rotation. thereby, a shaderoller rotatable with respect to said spindle and having a shadewindable thereon, an inner shell having an annular wall and an end wallsecured to the end of said roller for rotation therewith, a collardisposed within said shell and held against rotation by said spindle, arim on said collar directed toward the end Wall of said shell, a cam onthe end wall of said shell rotatable around the inner periphery of therim of said collar, a locking ball member confined between said collarand the end wall of said shell, said collar having a pair ofdiametrically opposite slots in the rim thereof, one forming a pocketfor said ball member in each of the respective positions of said spindlein its bracket, said ring having notches in the inner periphery thereof,one extending from each of said slots in the direction of rotation ofsaid roller in rolling the shade up on the roller, an internal boss onsaid inner shell for propelling the ball member out of the lowermostpocket and into the adjacent notch for locking engagement with the camwhen the speed of the roller is too great, a bushing held againstrotation on said spindle and provided with diametrically oppositenotches, a disc disposed within said shell outwardly of said collar androtatable upon said bushing, a pair of pawl members pivoted to said discand having projections adapted to drop into said notches to lock theshade in different positions, and an outer shell having a radial flangeat its outer end for holding the parts in said first shell and with anannular wall surrounding said first shell and the adjacent end of theroller and secured thereto.

9. In combination, a spindle, a collar held against rotation on saidspindle, said collar having a pocket therein, and a shade rollerrotatable with respect to said spindle and having a shade windablethereon, said collar having a notch extending from said pocket in thedirection of rotation of said roller in rolling the shade up on theroller.

10. In combination, a spindle, a collar held against rotation on saidspindle, said collar having a pocket therein, a shade roller rotatablewith respect to said spindle and having a shade windable thereon, saidcollar having a notch extending from said pocket in the direction ofrotation of said roller in rolling the shade up on the roller, and alocking member positioned in said pocket to permit rotation of saidroller with respect to said spindle and positioned in said notch to locksaid roller against too rapid rotation on said spindle.

JOSEPH W. FAY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,040,501. May 12, 1956.

JOSEPH W. FAY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4-,first column, line 16, claim 8, for the Word "ring" read rim; and thatthe said Letters Patent should. be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of June, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer A g mmis ioner of Patents.

